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Riding Downeast Maine
Ellsworth, ME
 Flower Sniffin'
July 11-15, 2018

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Let's Explore the Scenic Byways of Downeast Maine!
Join us in the fun of riding the scenic roads of Downeast!
and enjoy the camaraderie of riding and dining with good friends.
Don't forget to PACK your PASSPORT if you wish to enter Canada and return to the US!

Make your Hotel Reservations as soon as possible!!

Event Manager / Site Coordinator:
     Bill Campbell

  MTF Discussion Thread
  Schedule
  Registration
  List of Participants
  Routes
  Lodging
  MTF Refund Policy
  Ride Disclaimer & Waiver



Safety
In addition to requiring the use of a DOT approved helmet on all MTF rides, the MTF Flower Sniffin’ Committee strongly encourages the use of Motorcycle specific protective clothing and footwear while participating in any Flower Sniffin' event. All-the-gear-All-the-time (ATGATT) reduces the severity of injuries in an accident and we want every participant in our events to be as safe as possible.

Also the MTF Flower Sniffin' Committee strongly encourages each participant in our events to self assess their riding style, interests, need for breaks and riding skill level and to keep that assessment in mind when choosing a riding partner or small group (2-4 riders) to ride with at our events. Sharing the road with someone of similar interests and riding style not only makes the ride more enjoyable for you, but safer for everyone.

Acknowledgement
I'd like to thank Ed Conde and the New England Riders for granting permission to use their GPS routes and descriptions of this area.

Event Schedule

 

Follow the riders on SpotWalla as they come & go from Downeast:

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To join the SpotWalla page go to:
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Since this page is intended to be public, please be sure that you are aware of secure zones and how to control the types of messages that update their location on the page.

Secure zones are regions of the map where locations will not be shown. They allow you to safeguard your home, place of work, grandma's house or any other region where you want to maintain some privacy. More information on secure zones can be found here.


For information about

SpotWalla location pages go to:

Click Here

 

 

 

Routes

Route

Route Name

Route Description
Acadia Park AcadiaPart1
AcadiaPart2
AcadiaPart3		 Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island. Its landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. Among the wildlife are moose, bear, whales and seabirds. The bayside town of Bar Harbor, with restaurants and shops, is a popular gateway.

The entire route is approximately 130 miles, 4.5 hours. This does not include stops, so you should plan on a full day for this route. This ride has been broken down into 3 parts so riders do not get confused when the route crosses over itself.

Stop at the Hull's Cove Visitor Center to get your bearings and pay for admission. The motorcycle entrance fee is $20 and is valid for 7 days. The admission is good for rider and passenger. Alternatively, you can buy your pass online before you arrive: link. The Visitor's Center opens at 8:30am. It you arrive earlier, pay admission at the Sand Beach Entrance Station.

Part1 is approximately 40 miles, 1.5 hours. It starts from the hotel and goes to the Park Visitors Center, Hull's Cove Frenchman's Bay, Park Loop Road, Frenchman Islands, Porcupine Islands, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff View, Bubble Rock, and Cadillac Mountain.

Part2 is approximately 28 miles, 1 hour. It starts from Cadillac Mountain and goes to Eagle Boat Launch, Sargeant Drive, Somes Sargeant View, Seal Harbor, and Bar Harbor. There are plenty of places in Bar Harbor for lunch.

Part3 is approximately 61 miles, 2.25 hours. It starts from Bar Harbor and goes to Selectman's Building Somesville, Long Pond, Quietside Cafe and Ice Cream Shop, Southwest Harbor View, Manset View, Scotty's Dockside, Manset, Seawall View, Bass Harbor Head Light, Tremont Scenic View, Pretty Marsh Picnic Area, and returns to the hotel.  The Quietside Cafe and Ice Cream Shop has great blueberry pie and ice cream. Beal's Lobster Pier is a great lobster pound in Southwest Harbor for those that skipped lunch in Bar Harbor.
Campobello & Eastport Campobello Campobello Island was the summer home of FDR. Highlights of this route include the Blackwoods Scenic Byway, The Blueberry Barrens around Machias, Quoddy Head State Park, Campobello Island in Canada (bring your passport), and Eastport. Cherryfield is known as the "wild Blueberry Capital of the World" - the delicious berries are grown in abundance on nearby hillsides and are harvested in late July and early August.

This route is approximately 277 miles and, with stops built in, will take about 9.5 hours. About 1 hour after leaving the hotel you'll arrive at Helen's Machias where you can get breakfast as well as some of the best blueberry pie! You'll continue to Quoddy Head, Quoddy Head State Park (admission $4.00),  Roosevelt Campobello International Park (free admission), East Quoddy Head_Light, Raye's Mustard Museum, Eastport, and after about 5 hours in total, arrive at Quoddy Bay Lobster for lunch before beginning the return ride back to the hotel.
Downeast Downeast (the long route)
Schoodic (the short route)		 Downeast refers to the coast from Penobscot Bay to the Canadian border. Highlights include the Schoodic Peninsula, Schoodic Scenic Byway, Blackwoods Scenic Byway, Roque Bluffs State Park, The Blueberry Barrens around Machias, and Quoddy Head State Park ($4.00, restrooms).

There are 2 versions of this ride, long and short.

The long route (Downeast) is approximately 239 miles and, with stops built in, will take about 9 hours. This route does cover some of the same roads as Campobello. Lunch is at Frank's Dockside in Lubec. (approx 6 1/2 hours without stops.), or stop somewhere along the way if you can't wait that long.

The short route (Schoodic) is approximately 152 miles and, with stops built in, will take about 6.5 hours. This ride includes the Schoodic Peninsula, Schoodic Scenic Byway, Blackwoods Scenic Byway, Fox Pond, and a nice loop around Graham Lake. Lunch is at Grammie Donuts Restaurant in Cherryfield or get takeout at the Millbridge Gulf lunch counter and picnic at Fox Pond.
Moosehead Moosehead The Moosehead Lake Region is an outdoorsman's paradise on the edge of the Maine wilderness. Highlights include the Route 201 Byway, and Moosehead Lake.

This route is approximately 298 miles and, with stops built in, will take about 9 hours. Highlights include the Old Canada Road (Route 201) Scenic Byway, and Moosehead Lake. Take a 24 mile round-trip side trip including some dirt roads to the B-52 Crash site if it is of interest. Lunch is in Greenville at the Rod & Reel Cafe.
Penobscot Bay Region Penobscot
PenobscotShort		 The Penobscot Bay Region is a pretty coastal region of harbors, fishing villages, and the Camden Hills. Highlights include Deer Isle, Castine, Fort Knox, the Penobscot Observatory, and the view from Camden Hills State Park.

There are 2 versions of this ride, long and short.

The long route (Penobscot) is approximately 229 miles and, with stops built in, will take almost 10 hours. You'll visit most of the best spots in the Penobscot Bay Region. Highlights include Deer Isle, Castine, the west shore of Penobscot Bay, Camden, Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park ($6.00), and the view from the Penobscot Observatory. Lunch is at Carrier's Mainely Lobster in Bucksport or MarKel's Bakehouse in Castine (approx. 6 1/2 hours without stops).

The short route (PenobscotShort) is approximately 161 miles and, with stops built in, will take about 9 hours. This ride is for those that want to savor the best of the Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle. This ride explores many of the backroad scenic spots and interesting places to see. You'll want to get off your bike often to see the sights. Highlights include Deer Isle, Nervous Nellies, Stonington, Castine, Fort Knox, and the view from the Penobscot Observatory. Lunch is at Bagaduce Lunch in Brooksville. (approx. 5 hours without stops).
POIs (Points of Interest)
Includes:
LL Bean - "The Flagship" in Freeport ME
Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines, for an afternoon cruise on a schooner, Bar Harbor ME
Odyssey Whale Watching in Portland ME
Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth ME
Carriages of Acadia in Acadia National Park ME
The Telephone Museum in Ellsworth ME
Timber' Tina's Great Maine Lumberjack Show in Trenton ME
Eastport Statue in Eastport ME
Seal Cove Auto Museum in Mount Desert Island ME
All Routes & POIs Garmin GPS file format:     Downeast.gdb
Generic GPS file format:     Download.gpx
ZIP file with both:               Download.zip		 Right-click the filename, and SAVE LINK AS

 
Host Hotel

Ellsworth Ramada

Ellsworth Ramada

215 High St.
Ellsworth, ME 04605

Phone: (207) 667-9341

Email: Andrea Glidden, General Manager, andrea.glidden@withamhotels.com

Front Desk Hours: 24-Hour Reception Desk

Hotel Rates:

  • Twenty (20) Rooms, each with 2 Queen Beds, have been reserved for us at a discounted rate of $139 per night plus applicable room tax. Currently that tax is 9%.
  • Each guest will call in individually to make their reservations. Each guest is responsible for paying for their own room.
  • Any rooms in this block that are not reserved by June 27th, 2018 will be released without penalty.
  • The hotel is CLOSED for the winter but you can call the phone number listed, leave a message and someone will return your call.


Key Amenities: Non-smoking, Free WiFi,  Free Breakfast,  Onsite Parking,  Pet Friendly,  Pool - Indoor,  Fitness Center, Flat-screen TVs, Laundry Facilities.


If camping is more to your liking, the Forest Ridge Campground is about 2 miles away from the Ellsworth Ramada. Please contact them directly for reservations at (207) 664-7070 or by email at forestridgecampground@gmail.com.



The Motorcycle Tourer's Forum reserves the right to accept or reject a rider's request to participate in this ride.

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